Planting and fertilizing means



May 4, 1943 o. F. BRENNAN 2,318,205

` PLANTING AND FERTILIZING MEANS Filed Dec. 29', 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet loRvlLLE F. DR NAN y B fil/f 2 AT oRNEYs.

May 4, 1943. o, F. BRENNAN 2,318,205

' PLANTING AND FERTILIZING MEANS Filed Dec. 29, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTOR; ORVILLE F. DREN ATT EYS.

Patented May 4, 1943 PLAN TIN G AND FERTILIZING MEANS Orville F.Drennan, Moline, Ill., assignor to Deere lll., a. corporation of IlyCompany, Moline,

1mois Application December 29, 1939, Serial No. 311,586

' 2s claims. s (c1. 111-62) This invention relates generally toagricultural machines and more particular to planters adapted to bemounted on a tractor.

The object and general nature of this invention is the provision ofcertain new and useful improvements in agricultural implements, such asa planter or fertilizer distributor, and more particularly it is afeature of this invention to provide new and improved means forassociating the planting and fertilizer units one with the other inoperative relationship on the tractor. It is also a feature of thisinvention to provide means for propelling one of the furrow openingrunners, with spring means associated therewith and adapted to bearranged optionally for increasing the downward pressure, or, as whenthe ground is soft, offsetting at; least a part of the weight of therunner to prevent the latter from operating too deep.

A further feature of this invention is the provision of an improvedfertilizer attachment for a tractor planter, and a more specific featureof this invention embodies a fertilizer furrow opener connected to bepropelled by pull links, particularly in connection with spring meansoperatively connecting the fertilizer furrow opener with the planterfurrow opener, said pull link means being constructed so as to permitrelative movementl of one furrow opener with respect to the other. It isalso a feature of this invention to provide spring means interconnectingthe planter and fertilizer furrow openers in such a way that the liftingmeans on the tractor raises both the planter and fertilizer furrowopeners.

An additional feature of the present invention is the provision of aplanter and fertilizer attachment for each side of the tractor, theplanter furrow opener and the fertilizer furrow opener being connectedwith the tractor for movement relative thereto by means of generallyparallel links, the links for the fertilizer opener Ibeing separate fromthe links for the planter furrow opener. In this connection it is also afeature of this invention to provide a new and useful draft arrangementfor a fertilizer attachment lparticularly constructed 'and arranged tobe mounted closely adjacent the planting unit, preferably forwardthereof, and driven from the seeding mechanism drive Aby a simplesprocket and chain connection, the fertilizer furrow opener draft linksbeing disposed alongside but shorter than the draft links for theplanter furrow opener thereby accommodating the aforesaid relationbetween the planting unit and the fertilizer attachment.

An additional feature of the present invention is the provision ofspring pressure means associated with the draft links for the planterfurrow opener and-arranged to be disposed optionally in two diiferentrelations, one for the purpose of applying downward -pressure to theplanter furrow opener associated therewith or for the purpose of holdingup the planter furrow opener. Normally downward pressure is desired whenthe furrow openers or runners operate in hard ground, and

when they operate in loose ground, as loosely thrown up beds, it isdesirable to apply an upward pressure to the furrow openers or runnersto prevent them from operating too deeply. In this connection it is afurther feature of the present invention to utilize the spring meansconnecting the planter and fertilizers furrow openers or runners so thatthe above mentioned optionally disposable pressure spring means iseffective against not only the planter runners but also the fertilizerrunners. y

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will beapparent to those skilled in the art after a consideration of thefollowing detailed description of the preferred structural embodiment,taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side'view of a tractor equipped with planting andfertilizer distributing units, constructed and arranged according to theprinciples of the present invention, the near rear wheel and other partsof the tractor being omitted for purposes of clarity; v

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view taken along the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view taken along the line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a section taken along the line 4 4 of Figure 1, illustratingin particular the manner of connecting the fertilizer drawbar links tothe tractor brackets to which the drawbar links of the planter runnersare connected;-

Figure 5 illustrates one form of draft or drawbar links for operativelyconnecting the planter runner with the tractor brackets, the associatedspring pressure means being arranged to apply a downward pressureagainst the planter runner or furrow opener;

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 but showing the spring pressuremeans arranged to exert an upward force against the planter runner;

Figure 7 is an enlarged 'fragmentary perspective, showing the springpressure bracket argenerally the position shown in Figure 5; v

Figure 8 shows a modied form of drawbar links for'connecting the planterrunner with the tractor bracketsfand a modied form of spring pressuremeans;

Figure 9 is a view showing the manner in which the spring pressurebracket is -secured to one of the links when the spring pressure meansassociated therewith is arranged as shown in Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 8 but The seeding jv shaft 23 isdriven by a suitable connection to the axle shaft at that side of thetractor. To this end, a double sprocket gear member is mounted rotatablyon the laterally outer end of the seeding shaft 23, and a double drivingsprocket member 44 is fixed to the axle shaft 5. A driving sprocketchain 48 is trained over the sprocket gear member 44, and over theassociated sprocket gear section of the driven sprocket l mechanism,indicated by the reference numeral showing the spring pressure meansarranged to t apply an upward pressure against the planter runner; and

` Figure 11 is a view showing the manner of attaching the pressurespring bracket to accommodate the disposition of the spring means shownin Figure 10.

Referring now more particularly to Figure 1 the reference numeral Iindicates a farm tractor of moreor less conventional construction so faras the present invention is concerned, the tractor I including a framestructure -2 which includes a transmission housing 3, a'rear axlehousing 4 in which a pair of axle shafts 5 are journaled in `laterallyextending quill sections (not shown) of the axle housing, and reartraction wheels 6, the near wheel being removed. in Figure 1, asmentioned above. `The tractor I includes a seat 8 forming an operatorsstation, supported on a standard 9 which is connected to the tractorframe in any suitable manner.

' The tractor I is arranged to receive a planting unit and a fertilizerattachment at each side, but since the planting unit and fertilizerattachment for one. side of the tractor are substantially identical tothe planting unit and fertilizer atc tachment, respectively,A for theother side, only onesuch unit and fertilizer attachment have been shownin detail, the unit and attachment shown being for the right side ofthetractor, as

will be apparent from Figure 1.

'I'he planting unit is indicated in' its entirety by the referencenumeral I0 and, .being of the integral type, is mounted directlyon thetractor. Preferably, the planting unit, as well as the fertilizerattachment referred to below, is like the construction shown in theco-pending'application of Charles H. `White, SerialNo. 311,583, ledDecember 29, 1939. The unit I0 includes a planter hopper supported on asupporting frame means in the form of a hopper bottom I2. The unit I0shown in the drawings is particularly adapted for planting corn andcotton seed, and the seed selecting mechanism includes an adjustablegate and a pickerwheel fixed to `one end of a seeding shaft 6 to which apinion I1 is fixed. The latter serves to drive a seed plate (not shown)supportedlfor rotation on the hopv per bottom I2. The shaft I6 isextended beyond the pinion I1, being supported in suitable bearingsections formed on or carried by the hopper botgear. member on the shaft23. Suitable clutch 48, controlled by a shiftable clutch fork 55,operatively connects the shaft 23 and the sprocket gear member that isdriven from the axle shaft 5 by the sprocket chain 4G. As will beunderstood, disengaging the clutch 48 interrupts the cziive from theaxle shaft 5 to the seeding shaft A furrow opener unit is indicated inFigure 1 by the reference numeral' 10 and is disposed in a positionsubstantially directly underneath the lateral extension of the rear axlehousing 4 and the hopper The hopper bottom I2 is formed tov receive afunnel-shaped spout top 1| which directs the seed selected into alongitudinally extensible seed tube 12 which at its lower end leads intothe shank 13 of the furrow opener unit 10. The latter unit includes afurrow openingrunner 15 to which a pair of opener frame members 18 arefixed by any suitable means, each opener frame including upwardlyextending apertured sections 11. A press wheel frame 80, comprising apair of bars 8| welded together at their rear ends and spaced apart andapertured at their forward ends, is bolted, as at 82, to the oppositesides of the furrow opener unit 10 and at its rear end rotatablyreceives a pair of press wheels 83 of usual construction. A pair oflmife coverers 85 are resiliently connected to the press frame bars 8|in the usual Way. Since each furrow opener unit 10 is fioatinglyconnected, as will be explained below, with the tractor, each runner 15is provided with right and left hand gauge shoes 88 and 89 (Figures 1and 2) which are connected by braces 90 to the runner frame members 16.Where necessary, gauge shoe sweeps 82 are fixed on opposite sides of therunner 15.

tom I2, and receives a drive pinion pinned or otherwise xed to the shaftI6.4 A suitable drive gear meshes with the drive pinion and is fixed toa seeding shaft 23 by anysuitable means. The particular. details of theseeding drive do not per se form a part of the present invention,

it being understood that any suitable means for driving the seedingAshaft |6 maybe employed. The planting unit I0 is carried on the tractorrear axle housing by means of a bracket 36 which is fixed to the hopperbottom I2 and to the associated rear axle quill section.

Suitable connections extend between each furrow opener unit 10 and thetractor and permit each furrow opener to have vertical movement relativeto the tractor, this being permitted since the seed tube or spout 12 isformed of flexible ribbon which does not interfere with the movement ofthe furrow opener 10 relative to the spout top 1| which is carried infixed relation on the tractor, being connected to the hopper bottom I2which is mountedon the bracket 30, as described above. The meansconnecting each furrow opener unit 10 vwith the tractor includes a pairof generally parallel drawbar links |0I and |02, best shown in Figures 5and 6. Tubular sleeves |03 `and |04 are welded to opposite ends of theupper drawbar link IOI, and similar tubular sleeves |05 (Figure 7) and|06 are welded to the ends of the lower link |02. At their rear ends thetubular sleeve sections |04 and |06 of thev suitable apertures formed inthe runner frame extensions 11. At the forward ends of the links I 0|and |02. the-tubular sleeve sections |03 and |05 receive pivot bolts-||3 and ||4 which are carried by a pair of tractor drawbar brackets IIIand ||1, each consistingv of a pair of spaced and apertured platesoffset at their upper ends and and I I1 to a laterally' extending draft'frame or drawbar |24 which is exea to the side of the' tractor frame 2in any suitable manner. A brace |26 (Figure 1) is bolted, as at |21, toa bar |20 which is welded or otherwise permanently iixed to the outerend of the draft bar |24, and at its rear lower section 31 of theplanter supporting bracket 35, as best shown in Figure 1. If desired,the two bars |26 and |28 may be formed of one piece, in which case thebolts |21 will be eliminated.

As mentioned above. by virtue of the parallel linkage |I, |02, the'furrow' opener umts 10 are oatingly connected with the tractor i'.''When operating in hard ground it maybe that"- the weight of the runnerunits is not suicient to cause the same to penetrate to the desireddepth. To provide for this condition, a pressure snriwy |34 is connectedto a pressure spring hook |35 which encircles the upper rear tubularlink section |04. At its forward end the spring |34 is adjustablyconnected to an adjusting bolt |30; the rear endof which is threadedinto a n'ut'mexnber |31 that'is fastened to the forward end of thespring |34. The forward end of the adjusting bolt |36 is provided withan eye |36 which bears against a spring pressure bracket |39 connectedby a bolt |40 to the inside tractor bracket H1.

As best shown in Figures 5 and 7, the bolt I 40 is disposed in anaperture in the bracket Iii 'above the bolt |'I4 which receives theforward end of the link |02, so that the tension in the spring |34 pullsthe bracket |39 back against the tubular section I 05 of the link I 02.thereby'securely anchoring the forward end of the spring |34. As will beunderstood, the tension in the spring |34 exerts a downward pull orcomponent of force against the rear end of the upper link |0l, tendingto press the associated furrow opener unit 10 into the ground until thegauge shoes 30 ride along the surface of the ground.

Underother conditions of operation, as when planting in loosely thrownup beds, it may be desirable to exert a force tending to'holdup thefurrow openers or runners to prevent them from operating too deeply. If'such is the case, the spring |34 and associated parts are arranged asshown in Figure 6; that is, the pressure spring hook is engaged over thelower sleeve section |06 of the lower link |02 and the bracket |39 ismounted in a position to bear against theforward end of the upper link|0I, by removing the bolt |40 from its lower'position (Figure 5),inserting the same in an opening |42 in the inside tractor`bracket I|'|.The opening in the latter for receiving the bolt |40 in the positionshown in Figure 5 is indicated at |43 in Flgure'. It is therefore amatter of only a moments time to place the spring |34 in either of itsoptional positions to accommodate the planting unit of the conditionspresent.

A modified form of link means connecting the furrow openers 10 with thetractor is shown in Figures 8 to 1l. In these-figures the tractorbrackets |I6 and ||1 and the runner frame extensions 11 are the same asdescribed above. Hence, the same reference numerals have been applied.In this form of the invention the upper and lower links are indicated bythe reference numerals IOIa and |02a, each link being formed of a pairof straps |5| and |52. The former preferably is straight from end to endwhile the latter is offset outwardly, as indicated at |53 and '|54. Thestraps'll and |52 are permanently' and rigidly fastened together byshort connecting bars |56 and |51 whichl are'welded .at their oppositeends to the strap members |5| and: |52 adjacent theirends. Thus, Iprovide. link means of light weight but strong and sturdy construction;andthe ends of the straps I5| and |52, which are apertured, are spacedapart laterally a distance 'sufficient to provide exceptional lateralrigidity; The apertured ends just mentioned receive the pivot bolts H0,I||,A |I3 and |I4 (see Figures 1 and 5) by which the links are pivotallyconnected to the runner frame-16 and the tractor supported draftbrackets ||6 and ||1. Pivot bushings (not shown) may be mounted on thepivot bolts H0, III, II3 and ||4 to receive the links |0I, |02, I0|a and|02a, if desired.

The link means `lilla and I 02a, like the. link meansliand |02 describedabove', are provided with spring means disposed optionally in twopositions so as 4to exert either a downward pressure oranupward'pressure effective against the runner frames 16 to accommodatediierent operating conditions. In Figures 8 and 10, the spring means,indicated in its entirety by the reference numeral |60, is slightlydifferent from the spring means' |34 described above, although ingeneral the efiect is approximately the same. Referring now to Figures 8and 9, like the springs |34, the springs |6| are tension springs, sothat when a1'- ranged as shown'in Figures 8 and 9, the spring meansapply downward pressure tolthe runners to hold them in hard ground. Eachspring |6| is' most at right angles to the section |39 while the otherend section |1| is bent at about 45 degrees.

Each of the bracket sections |61, |59 and |1I is apertured, the section|1| having two apertures, one of which is shown at |13 in Figure 9. Whenthe spring means |60 is arranged as shown in Figures 8 and 9, the endsection |1| is secured, as by a bolt |12, to the connecting bar |51between the strap members |5| and |52 of the upper link |0|a. Thisdisposes the end |61 in a position to receive the upper end of thespring pressure adjusting bolt |55.

When the runners or furrow-openers 'i0 tend to penetrate too deeply, aswhen planting in loose soil, or for any other reason, the spring means|69 are arranged as shown in Figures 10 and 1l. In this position, theintermediate sectionl |69 of the spring pressure bracket |68 is boltedto the bar |51 of the lower` link |02a, the spring pressure adjusting.bolt being placed :'n the outer opening |13 (see Figure 9) of thebracket section |1I. The opening in this section which receives theclamping bolt |12 when the bracket isarranged as in Figure 9 ls indicaed by the reference numeral |14 in Figure l1. T ie upper end of thespring |S| is connected to the upper pivot boit H3 by having the hookend |32 of the spring |6| engaged around it.. As will be clear fromFigure 10, when thespring |50 is arranged in this manner, it exerts anupward force tending to lift the associated runner VIll out of theground.

'I'he structure so far described comprises a planting implement, therebeing one of the umts I0, 10, with associated parts at each side of thetractor. The hopper and seed selecting mechanism is supported firmly onthe tractor, directly on the rear axle housing 4, and the furrow open-`ers 10 are iioatingly connected to the tractor carried frame |24 andbrackets I|6 and I I1 by the generally parallel links |02 or IOIa, I02a.

It is frequently desirable to provide a fertilizer attachment foroperative association with a planting implement, such as the onedescribed above. Referring now more particularly to Figure 1, I haveshown a fertilizer attachment indicated in its entirety by the referencenumeral 200. 'I'he fertilizer attachment 200 consists of a hopper andfertilizer distributing unit 20| and a fertilizer furrow opener unit202, together with associated connections. The fertilizer hopper 204 iscarried on a hopper frame or hopper bottom 205 and is provided with apair of attaching arms 208. The present invention is not concerned withthe particular details per set of the fertilizer attachment; or thedrive therefor, such being disclosed and claimed in the co-pendingapplication of Charles H. White, identified above, and hence only a`brief description of this portion of the fertilizer attachment'l will benecessary. The present invention is concerned, however, with new andimproved connections for the fertilizer attachment runner, connectingthe latter with the tractor and with the planter runner, as will beexplained below.

As more clearly shown in the above-mentioned copending application, thearms 206 of the fertilizer hopper bottom are adapted to embrace and beconnected with the casing or its associated parts which encloses thedrive gearing between the seeding shaft 23 and the seed plate drivingshaft I6. In addition, a brace member 2I2 extends downwardly from thefertilizer hopperr bottom 205 to the longitudinally extending brace I26, being bolted at its lower end, as at 2|3, to the brace |26. At itsupper end the brace member 2|2 is bent laterally and is bolted orotherwise secured to the fertilizer frame or fertilizer hopper bottom205. To this end, the hopper bottom 205 is provided with one or morebosses 2|4.

The fertilizer hopper 204 is adapted to contain fertilizer which isdistributed-by suitable agitating means indicated in dotted lines by thereference numeral 220 in Figure 1. The particular details of theagitating means 220 do not per se form a part of the present invention,and hence extended description is unnecessary. It will be sufilcient tonote that an upperagitator 22| is mounted eccentrically upon a loweragitator 222, the latter being fixed to the upper end of a verticalshaft 223 which is mounted for rotation in a vertical boss 225 dependingfrom the fertilizer hopper bottom 205.

The fertilizer distributing or agitating means is driven throughmechanism which is brought into operative association with the drivinggear 22 of the seeding mechanism when the hopper unit 20| is broughtinto position and held in place by the arms 206 and 201 and the brace2|2. This driving mechanism is disclosed in detail and claimed in theabove-mentioned co-pending application. For the purposes of the presentdisclosure, it is suicient to note that the lower end of the shaft 223receives a sprocket gear about which a driving sprocket chain 239 istrained.

The latter is driven from the driving bevel gear on the seeding shaftthat drives the seed plate shaft I6, as is clearly disclosed in theabove-mentioned co-pending application.`

The fertilizer hopper bottom 205 is provided witha fertilizer spoutsection 265 and a fertilizer tube 266 of the flexible ribbon type isconnected at its upper end to the spout section 285 and at its lower endto a fertilizer opener shank 281 which forms a part of the fertilizeropener unit 202 (Figure 1). The runner of the fertilizer opener unit isindicated at 268. A fertilizer opener frame member 210 of weldedconstruction, embodying a generally vertical member 21| and a horizontalrearwardlir extending member 212, is bolted, as at 213 and 214, to theopener shank 281 and the forward end of the runner 268 so as to form apart of the fertilizer furrow opener 202. The vertical section 21| isapertured to receive a pair of pivot bolts 216 and 211 by which upperand lower link members 218 and 219 are'-connected to the fertilizerfurrow opener 202. Each of the link members 218 and 219, as best shownin Figure 2, comprises a pair of strap members 28| and 282, the forwardends of which are disposed on opposite sides of the outer tractorsupported draft bracket ||6. 'I'he forward ends of the straps 28| and282 of both links 218 and 219 are apertured so as to receive and bepivotally connected to the bracket 6 by the pivot bolts ||3 and I|4which, respectively, pivotally connect the planter furrow opener linkmembers |0I and |02 to the tractor. By pivotally connecting thefertilizer furrow opener links 218 and 219 to the same pivots to whichthe planter furrow opener links I0| and |02 are connected, a simpleconstruction is provided. Further, it materially facilitates both theplanter and fertilizer furrow openers 10 and 202 moving verticallytogether more or less as a unit relative to the tractor, since .they arepivotally connected therewith at the same points. Still further, thepivotal association of the fertilizer furrow opener links 218 and 219with the outer tractor draft bracket ||8 effectively disposes thefertilizer furrow opener 202 in the desired position relative to theplanter furrow opener 10, namely, forward of and laterally outwardly ofthe planter runner 15. Thus, the fertilizer is deposited adjacent theseed receiving furrow but spaced therefrom so that there is nopossibility of the fertilizer coming into direct contact with the seed.

As best shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3,spring means 285 is connectedbetween the planter furrow opener 10 and the fertilizer furrow opener202 for yieldingly holding the latter in position by the former, wherebythebiasing spring means, |34 or |80, associated with the planter furrowopener may be effective also against the fertilizer furrow openerassociated therewith. The spring means 285 includes an eye bolt member288 adapted to be fixed to the outer of the planter runner frames 18, towhich end the vertical extension 11 thereof is provided with one or moreopenings 281 (Figure 1). Slidably mounted in the eye bolt member 286 isa rod member 288, theupper end of which extends through the eye of themember 286, while the lower end is bent laterally, as indicated at 289,and is extended through the aperture in a lug 29| which is secured to orformed as a part of the fertilizer opener shank 261. A spring 292embraces the upper end of the rod member 288 and and at its upper endbears against the eye bolt member 286 and at its lower end bears againsta collar 293 welded or otherwise fixed to the rod 288. A pin or cotterkey 294 is carried at the upper end of the rod member 288, as best shownin Figure 3, so that the downward movement of the rod member 288relative to the xed member 286 is limited, and hence the eil'ect of thespring 292 in urging the fertilizer furrow opener 202 downwardlyrelative to a planter fertilizer opener 10 is likewiselimited. As willbe readily understood, yielding of the spring 292 permits the fertilizerfurrow opener 202 to move upwardly relative to the planter fertilizeropener 10, as when an obstruction is encountered, yet in so doing thefertilizer furrow opener 202 exerts a force through the spring 5292tending to lift the planter furrow opener 10 also away from suchobstruction. The object in providing more thanone opening 281 (Figure 1)to receive the eye bolt member 286 is to provide for placing thefertilizer at different depths relative to the planter furrow opener 10.When it is desired to place the fertilizer relatively deep, the member286 is ixed in the lower hole 281, as shown in Figure 1, and when it isdesired to place the fertilizer shallower, the eye bolt member 288 isfastened in the upper ho1e.` As will be apparent, the bent end 289 maybe disposed in one or the other of the openings 281 and the eye boltmember 286 may be attached to the lug 29| on the fertilizer opener shank261. A connection between the furrow openers 10 and 202 established bythe spring means 285 just scribed also makes it possible to raise bothfurrow openers through a single means, preferably the means ordinarilysupplied for the planter unit alone. The lifting means will now bedescribed. v

A hand lever 30| (Figure 1) is pivotally mounted, as at 302, on theplanter supporting bracket 35 and has a forwardly extending portion 303which is connected by a chain 304 to the furrow opener runner frame 16.The lever 30| is provided with suitable detent mechanism, not shown, andas will be clear from Figure 1, swinging the lever 30| rearwardly aboutthe pivot 302 raises the forward end 303 upwardly, thereby raising theplanter furrow opener 10. The upward movement of the latter acts throughthe interconnecting spring means 285 to also raise the fertilizer furrowopener unit 202. According to my invention, the movement of the handlever 30| is made use of for automatically disconnecting the drive fromthe axle shaft 5 to the seeding shaft 23. To this end, the forwardportion 303 f the hand lever 30| carries a cam 306 which is so shapedand angled laterally so as to engage and shift the inner end of theclutch fork 55, so that when the hand lever 30| is moved rearwardly, theclutch fork 55 is automatically shifted laterally outwardly therebydisconnecting the clutch 48 and interrupting the drive from the axleshaft to the seeding shaft 23. As will be understood, this stops theoperation of both the planting mechanism and the fertilizer mechanismsince the latter is connected to the former and driven thereby from theseeding shaft'23 as described above.

The operation of the structure described above is believed to beapparent. Briefly, the planting unit |0 is fastened in place directly onthe tractor axle housing by the mounting bracket 36, and the planterfurrow opener unit 10 is floatingly connected with the tractor throughthe generally parallel link means 0| and |02. 'I'he seed selectingmechanism of the planting unit is driven from the drive shaft gear 44bymeans of the sprocket chain 46 which, under the control of the clutchmeans 48, serves to drive the seeding shaft 23. The gear 22 xed to thelatter then drives the shaft I6 which, in turn, drives the seed 75 plateand/or thepicker wheel. The furrow opener unit 10 may be raised andlowered by the hand lever 30| which automatically engages and disengagesthe clutch 48, when the cam section 306 on `the forward arm 303 of thehand lever 30| engages the inner end of the shift fork 55.` When it isdesired to apply pressure to force the furrow opener units 10 into theground with a force that is greater than their own weight, the springs|34 are arranged as indicated in Figures 1 and 5, and when it is desiredto apply a lifting force to the furrow' opene'rs 10 to reduce theirtendency to penetrate into soft or' loose soil, the springs are arrangedas indicated in Figure 6. If spring means of the form shown in Figures 8and 10 are employed. for increased pressure, the springs |60 arearranged as in Figure 8 and for decreased pressure they are arranged asin Figure 10.

When the fertilizer attachment is to be used, the fertilizer attachmentdriving connections are brought into operative relation and the brace2I2 fastened in position. The latter is supported by the longitudinalbrace |26 which serves, in addi'- tion, to reenforce the tractor draftframe means |24 when the fertilizer furrow openers 202 arelink-connected thereto. By connecting the fertilizer draft links 218 and219 to the outer tractor bracket H6, the fertilizer opener 202associated therewith is disposed in the proper position, laterally andforwardly, relative to the planter furrow associated therewith.

While I have shown and described above the preferred structure in whichthe principles of the aspects of my invention.

What I claim, therefore, and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. An agricultural implement 'comprising a frame, planting mechanismincluding a furrow` row opener disposed opener, link means forward endto said ally rearwardly and connected to said fertilizer furrow opener,spring means acting against one of said furrow openers for yieldinglyholding the same in one position, and a connection between said onefurrow opener and the other furrow opener, whereby said spring meansacts to hold said other furrow opener in position.

. at their rear ends to said fertilizer furrow opener and at theirforward ends to the pivot means on said fame-carried bracket.

5. An agricultural implement comprising a supporting frame, plantingmechanism including a furrow opener, means comprising a pair of.generally parallel links pivotally connected at their forward ends tosaid frame and at their rearward ends to said furrow opener for oatinglyconnecting the latter with said frame, a fertilizer attachment includinga fertilizer furrow opener disposed adjacent said first furrow opener,means floatingly connecting said fertilizer furrow opener with saidframe, spring means connected between said furrow openers, and a secondspring means optionally connectible to said planting mechanism furrowopener and said frame in two different positions, one for pressing theplanting mechanism furrow opener ldownwardly and the other for applyinga force holding the same upwardly, said second spring means actingthrough said nrst spring means against the fertilizer furrow opener forpressing the same downwardly or urging the same upwardly correspondingto the force exerted against the planting mechanism furrow opener.

.6. An agricultural implement comprising a supporting frame, a furrowopener movable relative to said frame, draft transmitting means movablyconnecting .said furrow opener with said frame, including a pair ofparallel drawbar links disposed in generally vertically spaced relation,upper and lower pivot means pivotally connecting the forward ends ofsaid links with said frame, upper and lower pivot means pivotallyconnecting the rear'ends of said links withsaid furrow opener, each ofsaid links having spring-receiving means, and means for optionallyapplying an upwardor a downward force against said furrow opener,comprising a spring member and means optionally connecting said springmember with the spring-receiving'means on one or the other4 of saiddrawbar links for applying an upward or a downward pressure to saidfurrow opener.

'1. An agricultural implement as defined in claim 6, furthercharacterized by said last mentioned means includinga detachable partadapted to be connected to the spring-receiving means on either one orthe other o'f said drawbar links.

8. An agricultural implement comprising a supporting frame, plantingmechanism including a furrow opener, a pair of. attaching brackets fixedto said frame in laterally spaced relation, a pair of generallyvertically disposed links pivotally connected at one end to said furrowopener and disposed at laterally spaced brackets, pivot means connectingsaid other ends ofthe links with said brackets, an attachment includinga second furrow opener disposed adjacent said flrst furrow opener, apair of links pivotally connected at one end to said second furrowopener, each of the links of said second pair comprising a pair of strapmembers, one disposed on the inside and the other on the outside of oneof said brackets., said strap members being apertured to receive`` thepivot means connecting said first mentioned links with said brackets.

9. An agricultural implement comprising the combination of a tractorhaving a driving axle and a housing enclosing the same, a seed selectingunit disposed generally above said axle housing, said seed selectingunit including a first furrow opener disposed generally underneath saidaxle housing, a pair of relatively long draft links disposed generallyin parallelism and pivotally' connected at their rear ends to said firstfurrow opener, end means connecting the forward ends of said links withthe tractor, whereby said first furrow opener may move verticallyrelative to the tractor and the seed selecting unit, a. fertilizerattachment including a second furrow openerv disposed forward of saidfirst furrow opener, 'and a. pair of links disposed generally y inparallelism alongside said draft links and pivotally connected at theirrear ends with said second furrow opener, said second pair of linksbeing shorter than said first pair to accommodate the forward positionof said second furrow opener relative to saidflrst furrow opener, meansconnecting said furrow openers whereby when one is lifted into transportposition both furrowl openers are raised out of engagement with theground, and means for lifting said one furrow opener into transportposition.

'10. The combination set forth in claim 9, further characterized by saidconnecting means including a one-way connection whereby the other furrowopener is capable of moving upwardly relative to said one furrow opener.

11. The combination with a planter having a vertically movable furrowopener, of a fertilizer attachment having a vertically .movable furrowopener, and link means for movably connecting said fertilizer furrowopener with the planter furrow opener for limiting the movement of onerelative to the other.

12. The combination with a tractor planter adapted to be connected to atractor having a laterally extending part and including means ilxing theplanter to the tractor at a point spaced from said part, va planterfurrow opener, and means including a pair of generally parallel linksconnecting said planter furrow opener with said laterally extending parton the tractor for movement relative to the latter, of a. fertilizerattachment, means for supporting the fertilizer attachment on thetractor, a fertilizer furrow opener, and means including a separate pairof generally parallel links for connecting said fertilizer furrow openerwith said laterally extending part of the tractor.

their other ends between said positions, means connected with one ofsaid elements for urging the same toward one of its positions, and aconnection extending from said one element to the other whereby bothelements are urged toward said position by said urging means.

15. In a planter, frame means, a pair of relatively movable furrowopening elements separately connected with said frame means for movementinto and out of furrowopening positions, spring means for urging oneelement toward a furrow opening position, a connection extending fromsaid one element to the other whereby said spring means acts to urgeboth of said elements in said one direction, and means for raising saidone element, said connection serving to cause both of said elements tobe raised by said one raising means.

16. In a planter, frame means, a pair of relatively movable furrowopening elements connected with said frame means for movement into andout of different positions, means connected with one element for movingit into one of its positions, and means reacting against said oneelement for holding the other element in one of its positions.

17. An agricultural implement comprising a frame, planting mechanismincluding a furrow opener movably connected with said frame, afertilizer attachment including a fertilizer furrow opener disposedadjacent said rst furrow opener, means connecting said fertilizer furrowopener with said frame for movement independent of said first furrowopener, spring means connecting said two furrow openers, said springmeans reacting against said planting mechanism furrow opener to hold thefertilizer furrow opener down in working position, and means for raisingsaid planting furrow opener out of working position, said means actingthrough said spring means for also raising said fertilizer furrowopener.

18. An agricultural implement comprising a supporting frame, plantingmechanism including afurrow opener, means comprising a pair of generallyparallel links pivotally connected at their forward ends to said frameand at their rearward ends to said furrow opener for oatingly connectingthe latter with said frame, a fertilizer attachment including a.fertilizer furrow opener disposed adjacent said first furrow opener,means floatingly connecting said fertilizer furrow opener with saidframe, spring means connected between said furrow openers, and a secondspring means connected with said frame and said planting mechanismfurrow opener for applying a force to the latter generally in onedirection, said second spring means acting through said rst spring meansagainst the fertilizer furrow opener for pressing the latter generallyin said direction.

19. An agricultural implement comprising a frame, planting mechanismincluding a furrow opener, a pair of generally parallel draft linkspivotally connected at their rear ends to said furrow opener, pivotmeans connecting the forward ends of said draft links to said frame, afertilizer furrow opener disposed adjacent said rst furrow opener, and apair f generally parallel draft links pivotally connected at their rearends to said fertilizer furrow opener and at their forward ends to saidframe.

20. An agricultural implement comprising a supporting frame, plantingmechanism including a furrow opener, means floatingly connecting theplanter furrow opener with said frame, a ferplanting mechanism furrowopener downwardly andthe other for applying a. force holding the sameupwardly, said second spring means acting through said first springmeans against the fertilizer furrow opener for pressing the samedownwardly or urging the same upwardly corresponding to the forceexerted against the planting mechanism furrow opener.

21. In an agricultural implement, a support, tool means, a pair ofgenerally parallel links, pivot means connecting said links to said toolmeans and said support, each link having a spring-receiving section, anda spring disposable in two optional positions, one to thespring-receiving section of one link and the adjacent pivot of the otherlink and the other to the springreceiving section of said other link andthe adjacent pivot of said one link, whereby said spring urges saidltoolmeans downwardly or upwardly.

22. In an agriculturalimplement, a support, tool means, a pair ofgenerally parallel li-nks, pivot means connecting said links to saidtool means and said support, each link having a spring-receivingsection, and a spring disposable in two optional positions, one to thespring receiving section of one link and the other to thespring-receiving section of said other link, whereby said spring urgessaid tool means downwardly or upwardly.

23. In an agricultural implement, a support, tool means, a pair ofgenerally parallel links, pivot means connecting said links to said toolmeans and said support,.each link having a spring-receiving section, aspring disposable in' two optional positions, one to thespring-receiving section of one link and the other to thespring-receiving section of said other link, and a bracket receiving theother end of said spring and connectible with said support at twodifferent positions, whereby said spring urges said tool meansdownwardly or upwardly.

24. An agricultural implement comprising the combination with a,tractor, of a transverse draft bar fixed to the tractor, fertilizerdistributing mechanism including a, fertilizer container and feedingmeans carried by the tractor, a fertilizer furrow opener receivingfertilizer from said feeding means, a seed container and seed selectingmeans carried by the tractor, a seed furrow opener connected with saiddraft; bar generally rearwardly of said fertilizer furrow opener, andmeans connected with the seed furrow opener for holding the fertilizerfurrow. opener down in working position.

25. An agricultural machine comprising supporting means, seed andfertilizer furrow openers connected with said supporting means forrelatively free vertical movement with the seed furrow opener in rear ofthe fertilizer furrow opener, a generally forwardly extending part onthe seed furrow opener, and means acting between said part and thefertilizer furrow opener for limiting the movement of one furrow openerrelative .to the other.

26. An agricultural machine comprising supporting means, seed andfertilizer furrow openers connected with said supporting means forrelatively free vertic'al movement with the seed furrow opener in rearofthe fertilizer furrow opener.

a generally rearwardly extending part on the fertilizer furrowopener,and" means acting between said part and the seed furrow opener forlimiting the movement of one furrow opener relative to the other.y i

27. An agricultural implement comprising a frame, planting mechanismincluding a furrow opener, two pairs of generally laterally spaced apartlinks connecting said planter furrow opener with said frame,a'fertilizer attachment including a fertilizerl furrow opener disposedadjacent said first furrow opener, a rod plvoted to one of said furrowopeners and extending toward the other, a member carried by said otherfurrow opener and slidably receiving said rod, and a spring dis-l posedabout said rod and reacting at one end against thelatter and at theother end against said member for applying a yielding downward pressureagainst said fertilizer furrow opener.

28. An agricultural implement comprising a frame, planting mechanismincluding a furrow opner, two pairs of generally laterally spaced apartlinks connecting said planter furrow opener with said frame, afertilizer attachment including a fertilizer furrow opener disposedadjacent'said `flrst furrow opener, means connecting said fertilizerfurrow opener with said frame for movement independent of said firstfurrow opener, and spring means connecting said two furrow openers, saidspring means reacting against said planting mechanism furrow opener tohold the fertilizer furrow opener down in working position.

ORVILLE F. BRENNAN.

